BY NINO LUCES
CAMP OLA, Albay – A hard-hitting commentator in Sorsogon province was shot to death Monday night by motorcycle-riding gunmen in Barangay Cabidan, Sorsogon City.
Reports said Joebert Bercasio, 39, a native of Rapu-Rapu town in Albay province but residing and working as commentator in Balangibog Internet TV in Sorsogon City, died instantly after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds.
Report said that Bercasio, also known as “Polpog”, a resident of Bacon District in Sorsogon City, was heading to Seabreeze Subdivision from the city proper on board his motorcycle at about 8 p.m. when he was shot by assailants.
Police said he was shot four times in different parts of the body.
An hour before Bercasio was killed, he posted on his Facebook account about a quarry operation in Bulan town, also in Sorsogon province.
The victim was a former radio announcer at DZMS-AM, but he was transferred to an online teleradyo-type television where he had a commentary program.
Meantime, authorities have created a task force on Tuesday that will look deeper into the killing of Bercasio.
“Sa ngayon po patuloy pa ang imbestigasyon at humihingi po kami sainyo ng paumanhin kung hindi kaagad kami nakakapag bigay kaagad impormasyon dahil baka makasama sa imbestigasyon,” Lieutenant Colonel Benito E. Dipad, Jr,, chief of Sorsogon City police, said.
He admitted that as of press time, probers are still clueless on the motive of the incident but admitted that it could be work-related or personal.
“Lahat po ng anggulo tinitingnan natin. Personal man po o trabaho niya,” Dipad said.
Meanwhile, friends and colleagues of the slain radioman condemned the killing of one the province’s hard-hitting commentators in various media platforms.
Former Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP) chairman in Sorsogon, Ramil “Doods” Marianito posted in his facebook account demanding justice for slain colleague.
KBP chair Andy Espinar, station manager of OK-FM Sorsogon, called for unity among media workers in Sorsogon and also demanded justice for slain former co-worker.
Espinar said the victim has left three young kids and a pregnant wife.
“Three little children and an expectant wife, who broke the good news of an incoming baby boy a day before his murder, were left behind by the victim. As we condole with his family, we also call on the authorities to exert all efforts, solve with dispatch this senseless killing and bring to court the perpetrators of this gruesome murder,” Espinar said in a statement. (Nino Luces)
